So this is my first entry in my blog. There's a few reasons I'm doing this. Obviously I want to look back on this one day and remember everything about the trip. It's also great because my friends and family can see what we are up to.

In just 11 weeks we will be going on a big jet plane to the other side of the world and to be honest I'm really starting to sh*t myself.

Of course - I'll be going with my beloved boyfriend Michael and we'll be embarking on a wonderful journey together, but our future is completely unknown at the moment. We've been waiting for this for a while now. We've been counting down the days since January 2010. Crossing each day off the calender in anticipation. Waiting for the date January the 2nd 2011 to arrive.

I have so many mixed emotions that it's a little overwhelming. I'm unbelievably excited but a feeling of sadness and guilt keeps pulling me back for some reason. I'm excited because I'm going an adventure with my love and we are going to share and see so many beautiful and wonderful things together. The world is our oyster. I don't know where they saying came from, but i like it. Weird though - considering i don't like oysters at all. In reality though, the world is such a big place, waiting to be explored and now our number is flashing on the big board. It's our turn. Hoorah!

Obviously I'm sad too. Really sad. I'm going to be away from everything and everyone i know and love for 2 years. My family, my friends...my whole life pretty much. I know it's only temporary and thousands among thousands of people have gone through the same thing before, if not worse but it doesn't make it any easier for me. Goodbyes are never easy. No matter what the circumstances are.It's the really simple things I'm going to miss.

I'm going to miss mums hugs and her cute giggle that makes me smile. Dads warmth and gentle eyes. My brothers lame insults and how he always calls me "kiddo" even though I'm 23 now. Our weekend catch ups with our Familia - whether it be a bbq, art showing or celebrating a birthday. I'll miss the chats with my girlfriends and the silly things we come up with sometimes. I'm going to miss absolutely everything

I'm also scared of how much I'm going to miss out on when I'm away. What if I miss an absolute milestone in one of my friends or families life. What if everything and everyone changes when we are away? I have such an amazing family and group of friends and I just don't want to lose that. I guess the way I have to think about it is that everything eventually changes. It's what makes you grow and learn and I should look forward to the future, instead of holding onto the past. I'm sure the future has even more wonderful things in store but this is no doubt, going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life, as well at the greatest.

I hope we don't fail miserably at this. That's what I'm most scared of... Being so close yet so far. That would have to be a real kick in the gut. Michael and I are a team though - and a damn good one so I'm sure we'll be able to tackle anything that comes our way. Full steam ahead.

So for the next 11 weeks, we count down the days, the hours and the minutes. Waiting for the 2nd of January 2011- but not wanting it come either. 81 days to go.

Ash x